Highland Park Cask Strength Robust & Intense Release No 4

Part of the Cask Strength Robust & Intense Series from Highland Park, this is Release No. 4, bottled in 2023. It was matured predominantly in first-fill sherry seasoned European oak casks, along with first-fill sherry seasoned American oak casks, a small quantity of refill casks, ex-bourbon casks and – for the first time – ex-port casks too. The Highland Park Cask Strength series marries the traditional craft of whisky making with a modern approach to flavour exploration.

    Nose:    Enticing aromas of toasted coconut, driven by the ex-bourbon casks, along with crushed lemons and cedarwood; there’s a delightful hint of Turkish Delight in the aromatic peat smoke too, thanks to the influence of the ex-port casks.

    Taste:    Zesty pink grapefruit and fragrant rose water emerge on the palate, expertly balanced by earthier suggestions of toasted oak and heather-rich peat.

    Finish:   The long finish reveals exotic sun-baked spices and a ribbon of liquorice running through the final breath of floral peat smoke.

Highland Park has been distilled since 1798, on the same site where their founder, Magnus Eunson, set up his original illicit still at High Park. Ten miles from the northernmost reaches of the Scottish Mainland lie the 70 or so islands that make up Orkney, only 20 of which are inhabited. The beautiful, yet isolated cluster of islands, is pounded relentlessly by winds that frequently reach speeds of over 100mph in the winter. No tree can survive such an onslaught, which means that their moorland peat is woodless but rich in fragrant heather, which give rise to the unique aromatic smokiness of their whisky. For over 220 years, they’ve smoked their barley over 4,000-year-old peat, hand-cut from Hobbister Moor, just 7 miles from the distillery.